Archive
Stakeholder Input Request for EPA’s National Water Reuse Plan
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently held a meeting to identify challenges and map out solutions that will continue to advance the National Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP). With the plan being rolled out earlier this year, this meeting helped lay the groundwork for continued efforts towards ensuring the security, sustainability, and resilience of the nation’s water resources. With 37 specific actions led by an array of federal, state, local, and other water sector interests, the collaborative interaction has been vital to the plan’s success. “Water reuse must be a central theme in EPA’s efforts to meet 21st century […]
What is the Value of Water?
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted people to rethink safety and public health priorities throughout the world. Some that are typically at the forefront of peoples’ minds, like safe drinking water, become even more important as we face a situation that puts everyone at risk. The Value of Water Campaign poll recently conducted confirmed this idea. In March of this year, American voters responded that infrastructure investment should be a top priority, with 84% of the more than 1,000 people polled responding that they want leadership to invest in water infrastructure. In the five years that the poll has been organized, […]
Pharmaceutical Removal from Wastewater: Who Does it Best?
A partnership study between the University of Buffalo, Stony Brook University, Hampton Roads Sanitation District, and Hazen & Sawyer was published recently in the journal Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology. Funded by New York Sea Grant, this study analyzed a variety of technologies currently in use at seven wastewater treatment plants in the Eastern United States and how effective they were at removing pharmaceuticals from the wastewater. When measuring the effectiveness of removing medicines such as antibiotics and antidepressants from the wastewater, granular activated carbon and ozonation were particularly promising treatment methods. Both techniques were found to reduce the […]
Fall Foliage Festivities Affected by Persistent Dry Spell
With much of New England nearing its fifth month of severe drought, the region’s fall foliage and seasonal agriculture are starting to feel the effects. Each year, billions of people flock to the northeast to see the changing leaves on forest trees and participate in fall festivities such as pumpkin and apple picking. Fall tourism in Vermont and New Hampshire produces a combined $1.8 billion; [1][2] however, the damaging effects of persistent drought may keep people away and revenue down. Recent reports state some agriculture is half its normal size and, in certain areas, the foliage is less vibrant than usual. […]